Diaper fastener

Abstract

A fastener ( 10 ) comprising an attachment section ( 30 ) for permanent attachment to an anchoring area, a target section ( 60 ) for permanent attachment to a landing area, and a fastening section ( 40 ) for selective attachment and detachment from the target section ( 60 ). A breakable connection ( 70 ) initially connects the fastening section ( 40 ) and the target section ( 60 ), and this connection ( 70 ) is broken to disconnect the fastening section ( 40 ) from the target section ( 60 ) when fastener ( 10 ) is converted from a closed condition to an opened condition. A single fingerlift ( 80 ) can be gripped both when converting the fastener ( 10 ) from an installed condition to the closed condition, and when converting the fastener ( 10 ) from the closed condition to the opened condition.

1. A fastener convertible from an installed condition on an article, to a deployed condition, and then to a closed condition, and, once in the closed condition, convertible to an opened condition and, once in the opened condition, convertible between a re-closed condition and a re-opened condition; said fastener comprising:
 an attachment section for permanent attachment to a surface of an anchoring area on a first portion of the article, when the fastener is in the installed condition and conditions thereafter, 
 a target section for permanent attachment to a landing area on another portion of the article, when the fastener is in the closed condition and conditions thereafter, a fastening section connected to the target section when the fastener is in conditions prior to the opened condition; disconnected from the target section when fastener is converted from the closed condition to the opened condition, and attachable to and from the target section when the fastener is converted between the re-closed condition and the re-opened condition; 
 a breakable connection between the fastening section and the target section which is broken to disconnect the fastening section from the target section when fastener is converted from the closed condition to the opened condition; and 
 a single fingerlift that can be gripped when converting from the installed condition to the closed condition, and when converting from the closed condition to the opened condition. 
 
     
     
       2. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the breakable connection comprises perforations in the target section. 
     
     
       3. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the target section includes a breakaway tab which remains with the fastening section when fastener is converted from the closed condition to the opened condition. 
     
     
       4. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fingerlift occupies a distal gripping area whereby it remains accessible and grippable throughout the use of the fastener. 
     
     
       5. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fingerlift is positioned in a space aligned between an edge of the fastening section and an edge of the target section. 
     
     
       6. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment section and the fastening section are coextensive with each other. 
     
     
       7. A fastener as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the attachment section and the fastening section are formed from a single tape strip. 
     
     
       8. A fastener as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the combined length of the attachment section and the fastening section defines the length of the fastener in a pre-installation condition. 
     
     
       9. A fastener as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising another attachment section for permanent attachment to another surface of the anchoring area on the first portion of the article, when the fastener is in the installed condition and conditions thereafter. 
     
     
       10. A fastener as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein, when the fastener is in a pre-installation condition, major portions of the attachment section and the target section are positioned parallel to the coextensive sections, with the target section being positioned between the fastening section and the attachment section. 
     
     
       11. A fastener as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the attachment section has a geometry such that a Y-shaped bond is formed around an edge of the anchoring area when the fastener is in the closed condition and conditions thereafter. 
     
     
       12. A fastener as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the target section is releasably attached to the attachment section in the installed condition, with the fastening section still connected to the target section. 
     
     
       13. A fastener as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a hook section connected to either the fastening section or the target section.